After moving to York, I learned very quickly that people from the Susquehanna Valley love their farm-fresh ice cream (for a good reason!). There are so many delicious local ice cream producers, and my favorite place to go to learn about local ice cream making is the Turkey Hill Experience just over the bridge in Columbia. Right now, I love Turkey Hill for THREE main reasons: it’s their offseason, their new updates, and the educational hands-on experience for littles!
While summer and ice cream go hand-in-hand, fall is by far the best time of the year to go visit the Turkey Hill Experience! No spring field trips, no summer crowds. We were some of the only patrons there! We got to take our sweet time at all the exciting ice cream making steps and get a slot in the FIRST taste lab of the day (GASP! That’s an impossibility in the summer). We milked the cows dry, drove the milk truck at least five times, and sampled every flavor of lemonade and ice cream without anyone to block our access to the unlimited goodness! It was heavenly! And, if I’m being honest, I love going during this season because it’s a lot harder to lose my children, which means I can relax and enjoy it, too!
Secondly, the Turkey Hill Experience worked all spring replacing their ball pit for a fantastic, kid-friendly ice cream parlor that is absolutely adorable! This inviting update is now by far my favorite part of the Experience. It’s like a mini Tiny Town inside Turkey Hill! Both of my children spent forever in the play center – they wore cute little coats to match their Turkey Hill hats and served up pretend little ice cream cones to each other. They even enjoyed cleaning up the store with the pretend brooms and squeegees! I just love watching my children put into “practice” what they just learned!
And lastly, we love the Turkey Hill Experience because it is extremely child-friendly and provides a wonderful hands-on educational experience. Kids can eliminate the unwanted bacteria with larger-than-life microscopes, use their whole body to spin the giant disco blender, slide down the mixing chamber into the ingredients hall, feel the frigid temperatures in the walk-in freezer, digitally design their own ice-cream carton for their uniquely created cyber ice cream flavor, and produce their own commercial on the giant green screens! My children loved all the activities that were geared towards them and they were learning so much about their favorite treat! And don’t forget the Taste Lab where you and your children can make your own, one-of-a-kind edible ice cream flavor! Kids of all ages will love picking their ice cream flavoring, choosing their mix-ins, and adding swirls of flavor! It’s the ultimate hands-on ice cream experience!
So, if you’ve never been to the Turkey Hill Experience, it’s a blast and you should go for all the above reasons and more! If you have been but haven’t seen their updates, you should go check it out (or check out their upcoming holiday events!). If you’ve been in the summer, you should go back NOW because you will discover so much more fun in this relaxed atmosphere! Or if you just like ice cream, you should go!
Insider tips for visiting:
- The only bathrooms are located on the lower level by the gift shop, so make sure to swing by before you head upstairs to the Experience!
- Going in the morning often means you will be the only visitors in the building!
- Bring a lunch to enjoy on their patio chairs outside the gift shop!
The author was hosted by the Turkey Hill Experience, however, like always, all thoughts and opinions are her own.
